Ed Policy is not set to take over as president of the Green Bay Packers until July 25, but he set the tone for the team’s season months before Week 1. President Mark Murphy is still in charge for another month, but his days of making big plans for Green are over.
Murphy recently wrote that his biggest regret was only winning one Super Bowl. He believes general manager Brian Gutekunst and head coach MaLaFleur will win a championship soon, but the pair might not have a long leash under Policy.
The Green Bay Packers aren’t extending Matt LaFleur soon
Aug 28, 2021; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur jogs on the field prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images
Aug 28, 2021; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur jogs on the field prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Per Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, Policy told reporters on Friday that he has no plans to extend the contracts of Gutekunst or LaFleur. They each have two seasons remaining on their current deals.
“Policy told local beat writers on Friday that he’s not extending either of them entering the season (which is not unusual around the league with two years remaining) and is “generally opposed” to the head coach and general manager working with just one year remaining on their deals,” Schneidman wrote.
“That creates a lot of issues,” said Policy. “I think normally, you have a pretty good idea of where that relationship is going when you have two years left — not always, but normally. But it creates a lot of issues because they also have to hire a staff … generally speaking,
“I would avoid lame-duck status. It’s oftentimes difficult on everybody involved, but there are certain situations that probably call for it. So I would not say never.”
To the hot seat
Oct 22, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
LaFleur has a 67-33 record with Green Bay since he took over in 2019. He’s 3-5 in the postseason, and has made one NFC championship appearance.
Schneidman took Policy’s decision to mean LaFleur and Gutekunst are on the hot seat in 2025.
“In other words, the Packers will likely either extend or fire LaFleur and Gutekunst after this season,” Scheidman wrote. “This year already carries a heightened sense of urgency for the Packers as they enter Year 3 of the Jordan Love era after an underwhelming season, but now the public knows the head coach and general manager may have even more at stake, too.
Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst
Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst watches practice during Family Night on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
For More Wisconsin Sports:
Follow me on Twitter at@JordanSig, and follow us@WiSportsHeroics. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more ofour articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Wisconsin sports,click here! Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks.